Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis reacts after being injured as Willy Hernangomez, right, checks on him during the second half of a game Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in New York. The Knicks won 87-81. Frank Franklin II, AP

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2018, file photo, New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) controls the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix. Porzingis’ left knee is healing well from a torn ACL and he will be re-evaluated in mid-February 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File) Rick Scuteri, AP

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis sits on the bench during the second quarter of the team's preseason NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, in New York. Noah K. Murray, AP

Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) holds up three fingers after making a three pointer as New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) walks up court during the first quarter at TD Garden. Winslow Townson, Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after scoring against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, in New York. Julie Jacobson, AP

New York Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis (6), of Latvia, dunks as Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns, bottom, looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, in Minneapolis. Jim Mone, AP

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) fights for the ball with Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn (32) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Bill Kostroun, AP

New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen (24) fight for position during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner, Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) is greeted by center Kyle O'Quinn (9) after making a three-point basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at United Center on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) fights for position against Houston Rockets point guard James Harden (13) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner, Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis, top left, shoots next to Utah Jazz's Derrick Favors, top right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017. Andres Kudacki, AP

New York Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis, center, celebrates with team mates during the first half of a NBA basketball game against Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden in New York, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Andres Kudacki, AP

New York Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis, right, competes for the ball with Sacramento Kings' Willie Cauley-Stein during the first half of a NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Andres Kudacki, AP

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) blocks a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony, left, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Sue Ogrocki, AP

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reach for the ball in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Sue Ogrocki, AP

Anthony’s tenure in New York has always been under the microscope, critiqued from the trade that brought him here though his successes and failures. And now, it could be his last hurrah, except he likely won’t get a chance to hear it. Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, left, looks for a shot over New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 23, 2017. The Trail Blazers won 110-95. Craig Mitchelldyer/AP

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) sends Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) while kicking teammate New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) in the shoulder as the pair go flying on Porzingis's foul fourth quarter foul in an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 12, 2017, in New York. The Nets broke a 16 game losing streak at home to defeat the Knicks 120-112. Kathy Willens, AP

Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis, left, and Carmelo Anthony relax on the bench during the final moments of Wednesday's game against the Magic in Orlando, Fla. New York won 101-90. Porzingis scored a team-high 20 points while Anthony contributed 17. John Raoux, AP

Clippers' Blake Griffin (32) fights with Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis, of Latvia, for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, in New York. The Clippers won 119-115. Frank Franklin II, AP

The Knicks and Kristaps Porzingis lost to the Wizards at the Garden on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, and the next day the NBA ruled that Wizards assistant coach Sidney Lowe had wronged them, standing on the court and distracting Courtney Lee as he readied to attempt a potential game-tying shot. Frank Franklin II, AP

Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis sat out a fourth straight game Wednesday when the Knicks played the Celtics in Boston. He may face worse news this morning when the second-year star is set to undergo an MRI on his sore left Achilles. Kathy Willens, AP file

Pacers center Myles Turner working to regain control of the ball as he is defended under the basket by Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis during Saturday night's game in Indianapolis. Doug McSchooler, AP

The Knicks' hope all along has been to make a splash in free agency this summer.

Now it's even more important that they succeed.

The Knicks agreed to trade Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks Thursday in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., two future first-round picks and the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.

But they also sent Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. in the deal, which creates nearly $75 million in salary cap space.

When asked earlier this season to compare the Knicks' rebuild to that of the Philadelphia 76ers, Fizdale said he didn't believe the Knicks' would take as long since they had Porzingis "waiting in the wings." Fizdale felt that would expedite the Knicks' version of the process.

Regardless of free agency success, they still had a superstar to play alongside some young players the Knicks hope will become valuable pieces, and they're going to have another high draft pick this year.

Not anymore.

So now it's all about free agency. Here's a look at some of the biggest names that could be available:

Get ready for the speculation to go into overdrive. Durant has helped the Golden State Warriors to two straight championships and they have a good shot at making it three in a row this year. The Warriors can offer Durant the most money available, which could be a strong pull for Durant. But if he wants to go somewhere else and try to be the focal point of a team, he might strongly consider the Knicks.

Kyrie Irving

Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, center, who is sidelined with a hip strain, watches play from the bench with forward Marcus Morris, left, during the first quarter of the team's NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Boston, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)(Photo11: The Associated Press)

Irving said at a season-ticket holder event before the season that he planned on re-signing with the Boston Celtics. But that was only a verbal commitment. The chance to sign with the Knicks and play play close his hometown of West Orange could appeal to Irving in free agency. And if the Knicks can somehow also land Durant, they would have even a stronger case to get Irving too.

Kawhi Leonard

Leonard maneuvered his way out of San Antonio after last season as the Spurs traded him to the Toronto Raptors. He's having a huge season and the Raptors are sitting in the second spot in the Eastern Conference. There's no guarantee he'll re-sign in Toronto, although the Raptors are doing everything they can to convince him to say. Still, he should be included in the conversation for the Knicks' free agent targets.

Kemba Walker

The Charlotte Hornets point guard is having a huge season, averaging 24.4 points and 5.6 assists per game. The two-time All-Star is a New York City native, which could give the Knicks an advantage in free agency — if they're interested in signing Walker in the first place.

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Klay Thompson

One of the best shooters in the NBA, Thompson is also due to hit free agency and could be an option for the Knicks. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier this week that the Los Angeles Lakers could appeal to Thompson if they land Anthony Davis in a trade and the Warriors choose not to offer him the full max.

Jimmy Butler

Traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, Butler appears to be the final piece the Philadelphia 76ers needed as they contend in the Eastern Conference. Butler could be part of a Sixers core that could win for a long time. He's likely going to re-sign in Philadelphia but could still be on the Knicks radar.